"I'm thinking of doing the snow bird thing this year in Austin. Great music scene. I can play with some real cowboys."

Just be sure to get some stock so you're not all chapeau.

Perry's problem will be translating the Texas solution to key blue states (a flip of two or three into the red column will be required for a GOP win). Generally blue state voters are disinclined to believe the proposition that the way to fight a depressed economy is to fight the interventionist urge, to manage best by managing least.

If I ever decided to live in another state, Texas would be my first choice (although a lot of that is based on the lack of income tax, which it has in common with Tennessee. I don't know how you other folks handle dealing with 2 income taxes.)

I've been really excited about Perry and want to know more about him. If I were betting, I'd say he's likely to win the nom, assuming he gets in.

However, I heard this morning that he's from the Bush/McCain school of thought on (illegal) immigration. So I might have to give it some more thought.

If I had to move right now, I'd probably head out to Texas, too. I may be prejudiced a wee bit towards Texas because I married a Texas Jew-Girl.

Sometimes, though, they are a bit much: the Mrs' favorite Texan joke:

A guide in France is showing a bunch of American tourists the Eiffel Tower. A Texan looks at the tower and says "Hell, girlie, we got outhouses in Texas bigger than that!". Another tourist pipes up from the back "Hell, in Texas, you need 'em".

As a native Texas who has lived in some "blue" states and has returned to Texas, I'd our success is due to Texans, rather than anything Gov. Perry has done. When I lived in New York, I met many people who believed that businesses exist to fund government. You see that in the liberal cry "Tax the rich!" That attitude is far from common down here.

Bob: Do your research. Sometimes, people tell you things just because they want you to buy things.

Go find a mirror. Rinse and repeat.

"The measure, sent to Gov. Rick Perry for consideration, lets any incandescent light bulb manufactured in Texas - and sold in that state - avoid the authority of the federal government or the repeal of the 2007 energy independence act that starts phasing out some incandescent light bulbs next year."

The 'Fee State' shows no end to its madness. The best of everything for anyone who is out of work.

Want to start a business? Heh. Go to the line with the 'Bum's Rush' header, buddy. By the way, the advice will cost you $20. Cash only.

Of course, there is absolutely NO CORRELATION between NY's fiscal condition, and the fact it has been run by the democrat party (note; I did NOT say 'democratic' party, drives me bonkers) for the last 50-60 years.

Texas is fine, but I will leave it to them.- Pretty flat - I grew up with real mountains (52 14k or higher), and now have a nice one w/ maybe 5k vertical 10 miles away. - Fire ants- Hot and muggy in the summer.- Texans. From a westerner's point of view, Texans are more southern than western. And, indeed, they all wear hats and boots now, as do the Mexicans.

Texas laws also create a sanctuary state for debtors fleeing creditor collections in other states. Two of the last four Presidents have been Texas politicians. And the State of Texas has football values. The local Three Star recruits can beat Big Ten schools at Rose Bowls. Perry's problem will be his Southern Baptist Pulpiteer's Persona. That may win him the Huckabee guys, but can lose him many other voters. Stay tuned.

The other special development in Texas has been a new Tort Law that makes losers pay the winners legal fees. Coupled with the liability caps already in place, it is now virtually impossible to get sued in Texas if you are a Business that causes serious injury and death to citizens. That sounds good to the people who have not been seriously injured and killed by negligent actions of a business's employees and design engineers. The insurers now don't even bother to pay claims, and the lawyers willing to take a case on a 1/3 fee have disappeared. So invest in Texas Corporations, but live in another state where it is much safer.

Perry has courted secession from the US. How in the world can he then run for President?

Republicans today hate America, they hate the American government and they hate the majority of the American people (they hate liberals, unionists, feminists, minorities, environmentalists, scientists, train riders, you name it!)

Please, by all means, run with the dumbass neoConfederate from Texas. In the future we will know him as "Road Kill."

Republicans today hate America, they hate the American government and they hate the majority of the American people (they hate liberals, unionists, feminists, minorities, environmentalists, scientists, train riders, you name it!)

Enter stage left, the whackiest of our whack jobs... even crazier the Kookie... dumber than garbage... almost as surly and mean spirited as J...

Just in case you want to know what Gov. Perry said, as opposed to the fantasy that Omega Liberal invented, here are the Gov's actual words:

"There's a lot of different scenarios," Perry said. "We've got a great union. There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that. But Texas is a very unique place, and we're a pretty independent lot to boot."

Republicans today hate America, they hate the American government and they hate the majority of the American people (they hate liberals, unionists, feminists, minorities, environmentalists, scientists, train riders, you name it!)

Project much?

OTOH

EXCUSE YOU?

I'm a tail-end boomer - I'm supposed to QUESTION AUTHORITY!

They're the AUTHORITY!

And guess what?

The environmentalists/scientists

r

LYING!

As to the rest LOLOLOLOL

You've had your way - it isn't working - don't blame us for pointing it out.

And in case anyone is wondering why I put that up there: States that have less or no budget shortfalls are essentially subsidizing texas and california and the other high-budget-shortfall states by keeping the american currency afloat.

if Texas or California had their own currencies, the budget deficit would drive down the buying power of their currencies and impoverish their residents.

And the United States economy, or lack of to, is 80 percent of the reason Obama's poll ratings are lower than whale shit.

And now Obama is gonna run from Afghanistan even though his Generals and alot of his administration is against it. Just like his, "I got Bin Laden" the putz really thinks that will up his poll numbers.

From a Texas citizen for 66 years:The office of governor in Texas is considered "weak" in comparison to other states. While I voted for Perry, I realize he may be taking credit for some things that were not fully in his control. The governor does have the "bully pulpit" to bring issues to the public but may not have the power make it happen. The issue of a state income tax has been kept in check by the voting public. It has always been the kiss of death for any Texas politician's future to breath a word about proposing one. We are bipartisan on this.

"You mean the same Rick Perry who railed against the stimulus package that helped balance his state's budget?

Yeah, hypocrisy works for him."

Huh, dude. Texas gives more to the federal government than it takes. If your Keynesian president wants to run up the debt with borrowed money you better be sure we'll take our fair share. Who should get it? Michigan? illinois?

Texas has a deliberately and widely plural executive. To the point that traditionally the Lieutenant Governor is considered a more powerful personage than the Governor, since the LG has a lot of legislative power attached to his role as President of the State Senate. It doesn't make sense to give the governor too much credit or blame for anything that happens in Texas.

There are a few small things under the direct control of the governor; the Economic Development Bank, the Office of State-Federal Relations, the Office of Housing and Community Affairs, the Texas Film Commission, and the Texas Music Office. But for the most part, the powers of the governor of Texas are:

1) Singing or vetoing laws passed by the legislature.2) Appoint, to fixed terms, people who will actually have authority. These appointees thenceforth hold power independently of the Governor, the Governor having no power to remove them or give them orders.3) Calling out the National Guard.

That's it.

For example, somebody mentioned "execute-the-innocent" above. Well, what, exactly, does he suggest Perry have done? The Texas Governor can't issue pardons or commutations without the permission of the independent Board of Pardons and Paroles. He can't tell the independently-elected AG to concede a lawsuit, fire the AG, or give orders to anyone working for the AG. He can't give orders to any prison warden, prison guard, or police officer anywhere in the state, except for the Texas Rangers under very limited circumstances. He can't fire anybody in the Department of Criminal Justice or the Department of Public Safety, either (though he does get to appoint members to their boards when their fixed terms are up).

I don't expect Perry to be a great President, if elected. He won't have the Texas Legislature writing the laws he vetoes or signs.

The formal powers of the Governor are pretty limited, but you forgot the most imprtant: calling special sessions of the legislature and putting items before it for consideration.

That said, a skillful pol can govern effectively here as Perry does and W did before, just by being the only poltician in the state with anything near universal name recognition. Ann Richards had a decent first year, but she ran out of things to do that were a) plausible and b) did not excite her Lefty Austin base. She found she could please normal Texans, or the plagiarist Molly Ivins. But not both.

However, I heard this morning that he's from the Bush/McCain school of thought on (illegal) immigration. So I might have to give it some more thought.

- Lyssa

Lyssa, you need to understand that Texas funds its government from sales tax. That forces illegals to pay the same as legal residents. California funds its government from income tax which is easily evaded. It doesn't matter much that there are lots of illegals in Texas. State services are low and the sales tax means that illegals pay their share. That was the situation when the immigrants came to Ellis Island in 1900.

The situation is entirely different for those states that subsidize illegals.

deborah saidwhat did you think of Perry trying to mandate the HPV vaccine for girls?

Didn't like it. He issued an executive order in Feb, 2007, that parents could opt out of. Later the congress passed a bill to rescind it in May, 2007.

txrxqa saidSo much pablum from the press, I think.

I meant the office of governor. Lieutenant Governor has more power. Governor can't pardon without approval of Board of Pardons and Paroles for one thing. Perry is very popular and does have a lot of influence. He's still a politician, though, and power corrupts.

In the primaries I wanted Debra Medina to win, but that failed after Glen Beck's hit piece on her.http://www.dailypaul.com/125036/transcript-of-the-medina-beck-9-11-truth-discussion. I was not very political before I retired. Started reading here during the Madison occupation.

The weather in Houston is hot and humid, but we do get an occasional hurricane to cool things down.

Perry is not what you think. He just signed a radical animal rights law that will put almost every hobby dog breeder in Texas under a commercial license/inspection/high regulated regime -- why? Because some of his rich backers are animal rights whackjobs.He is a D going back to his roots.He lucked into a state with a great economy and still couldn't keep the budget in line.

Michael K, that's a good point that I hadn't thought of (but should have, coming from a fellow sales tax funded state). But I have to ask how that translates to a national policy by a President Perry. Not writing him off, but I'm still inclined to reserve judgment until I hear him address it to my satisfaction.

Wow, that is hilarious. Perry is what any sensible person in the the US would call a conservative. To claim he is a secret Democrat because he supports animal rights can only lead me to believe that a true Republican [in your mind] must be someone who wears the fur of endangered species, runs over puppy dogs in a pick-up truck and breaks horses legs just for the fun of it.

" I meant the office of governor. Lieutenant Governor has more power. "

Still not buying into this assertion.

(Maybe you should contrast just what the Lt. Gov can do in contrast with the gov and give a weight-factor to each 'can-do' starting with 100 points for the ability to sign/veto legislative bills for the governor.)

Signing/vetoing bills and the 'power of the bully pulpit' (as Gov.) still represents the highest 'power' a politician may wield in the state, ahead of the speaker of the house and the President (Lt Gov) of the Senate, regardless of continued assertions to the contrary.

Just to be complete, Texas Senate Leadership:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Senate#Leadership

On the governor, wickedpedia says:"Compared to the governors of other U.S. states, the Governorship of Texas is often cited as a fairly weak office. In some respects it is the Lieutenant Governor of Texas, who presides over the state legislature, who is a more powerful political figure able to exercise greater personal prerogatives."

"Wow, that is hilarious. Perry is what any sensible person in the the US would call a conservative. To claim he is a secret Democrat because he supports animal rights can only lead me to believe that a ..."

You do realize, that once upon a time Texas was majority democrat?

That has changed in the +30 years I have been a resident ... we have had many 'converts' to Republican in that time, including my rep, US Rep Ralph Hall.

I've said before on this site that Rick Perry is someone to watch. He's a likeable person in retail campaigning contexts (I've met him a couple of times, and while I'm not a fan politically, he has real skills in working a room) and whether you think Texas has prospered because of him or in spite of him, he has a story to tell.

"Its true. I used to work for Lt Gov Hobby, so I know where the power is."

Assertion without cite; sans any logos even as to why ...

By your logic, then, I could make the argument that Harry Reid has more power than the president; except this one has found a way around the Senate via 'Czars'.

Actually, this whole argument is absurd; we're talking legislative branch vs executive branch (Lt. Gov position for all practical purposes is legislative, unless the governor 'flatlines'); legislation must pass from house - senate - gov in any case to become effective.

The thing here is that Perry's performance at a Federal level cannot be predicted from his state performance because the President has far fewer checks on his discretion than the Governor of Texas.

You could put Obama in the Texas Governor's Mansion for a term and the results would be largely the same. The executive budget would be ignored in favor of the Legislative Budget Board submission, the same powerful Lieutenant Governor and and Speaker of the House that jointly control the LBB would use their massive legislative power to push it through the Senate and House, and then it would be dumped on the governor's desk.

Governor Obama might veto it, but then he'd either get overridden or get a near-identical bill dumped on his desk again. The result would be 95% identical to what finally gets passed under Perry.

Oh, if you let Obama in for several terms, he'd wind up filling a bunch of the appointed boards, and you'd see some policy changes percolate through as a result. But just one? Texas could chew that up and spit it out.

- Texans. From a westerner's point of view, Texans are more southern than western. And, indeed, they all wear hats and boots now, as do the Mexicans.

Oh, please. That's as much of a tired, old stereotype as "All Alaskans live in igloos" or "All Wisconsinites wear giant plastic cheese on their heads." This 32-year Texan hasn't owned a hat or boots since childhood.

That has changed in the +30 years I have been a resident ... we have had many 'converts' to Republican in that time, including my rep, US Rep Ralph Hall.

Jim, we must be practically neighbors. I'm in Sam Johnson's district, but I'm within a 15-minute drive of Hall's.

txrxqa said (regarding the power of a Texas governor)"Still not buying into this assertion."

Your argument is a two edged sword. Remember how Bush was blamed for everything that happened in Texas no matter if it was judicial or legislative? It always caused me to wince when I heard Texas called "Bush's Texas", even though I supported Bush.

LilEvie saidHe [Perry] is a D going back to his roots.

Interesting, never thought of that.I know, until recently, you had to vote in the D primary to have a choice, since many, many positions ran unopposed. (In Tex a registered R can vote in the D's primary. By doing that you could not vote in the R's.)

I guess, going forward, Perry has to stand or fall on his on abilities to convince people he is the better candidate. He can give a good speech.

Perry sounds way too much like Bush. I'm talking about his actual voice and inflections.

I hadn't heard him speak yet, but I was hoping against this. For the twang reason alone, I was glade Barber didn't decide to run. I'm all for personal character and competence, but electability is the main ruler at the end of the day, unfortunately. I don't think another white guy with a twang has a chance this time around.

Texas is the most American state. I love it. I have relatives whose homestead is located on what is now Fort Hood. A family grave yard is still there and maintained by the Army, I have been told. As for climate, Texas is a microcosm of the US. You can have a tropical storm in Brownsville, and a snow storm in Wichita Falls. East Texas looks like Alabama. West Texas looks like Mexico. Del Rio is one of those places that you know no body went there on purpose, they just got that far and couldn’t go any farther. It’s not the end of the world but you can see it from there. Even so, I still love Texas. Especially the pretty girls in their frilly dresses in the German Mex-Tex oompah band nightclubs around New Braunfels.